Find Us Online

Airswimming

Set in 1920's England, Charlotte Jones's Airswimming is based on the true story of two women (Miss Kitson and Miss Baker), who have been incarcerated in a hospital for the "criminally insane" for having borne illegitimate children. Forgotten by their families and not released until the 1970's, Dora and Persephone adoptalter-egos, Dorph and Porph, to enact their fantasies and survive the silence of incarceration. By turns very funny and moving, Airswimming reminds us of the forgotten women of these generations in both Britain and Ireland.

Aedín Moloney and Rachel Pickup, seen in The Irish Rep's 2011 revival of Brian Friel'sDancing at Lughnasa, star as Doraand Persephone, respectively.

"JOHN KEATING DIRECTS WITH CLARITY AND DEPTH, modulating the abrupt shifts from comedy to pathos skillfully. MOLONEY SHOWS A HEARTBREAKING VULNERABILITY under the martial swagger. PICKUP BEAUTIFULLY MATCHES HER. Her Persephone appeals to the heart… Airswimming is the story of two women who find their only solace and hope is in one another. It's not about women at all: it's about everyone." — Irish Examiner

"Director John Keating has created a remarkably sensitive ambience, with Moloney, with her curt masculinity, and Pickup, the picture of femininity and vulnerability, appearing ideal for their roles. ONE COULD NOT IMAGINE BETTER." — Epoch Times

"Jones has written A GRIM, YET FUNNY, AND OFT-STUNNING SMALL PLAY, directed in this staging with great care by John Keating." — History News Network

"...a humdinger of a vehicle for the two fine actors - AEDIN MOLONEY AND RACHEL PICKUP - who REMAIN AN EMPOWERING AND CONSTANT PRESENCE THROUGHOUT." — CurtainUp